Risk of measles outbreaks increases with decreasing vaccination coverage Vaccination coverage for vaccinations in the Dutch National Vaccination Program (NIP) decreased slightly by about half a percent for the third consecutive year.
Every year, 300,000 tick bites in urban areas One in 5 tick bites occurs in an urban area. Although most tick bites occur in the countryside, many people are bitten in urban areas as well.
Moderate flu season Last winter season, the duration and severity of the influenza epidemic was moderate compared to previous years.
First patient infected by tick-borne encephalitis virus For the first time, a person in the Netherlands has fallen ill after a bite from a tick carrying the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE virus).
Integrated approach reduces harmful effects of medicines in surface waters Residues of medicinal products, such as painkillers, hormones and antidepressants, are increasingly detected in surface water and drinking water.
Measles epidemic and Salmonella outbreak cost nearly six million euros The most recent measles epidemic and outbreak of Salmonella Thomson due to smoked salmon have cost 3.9 and 1.7 million euros, respectively.
Flu season in the winter of 2014 / 2015 more severe and longer than preceding years The flu epidemic in the winter of 2014 / 2015 lasted 21 weeks and as such was the longest epidemic ever recorded in the Netherlands. Nearly two million people suffered from flu-like symptoms.
Broad approach needed against pharmaceutical residues in environment We can all help to reduce pollution of the environment by pharmaceutical residues.
RIVM presents four scenarios on future public health at European Health Forum Gastein On the first day of the 17th European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) organises a workshop on ‘Our health in 2040’.
No more complementary vaccinations against measles for children aged six months The measles epidemic, the first case of which occurred in the Netherlands in May 2013, is coming to an end.